Mountain & Prairie with Ed Roberson

If you’re a long-time listener, then surely you remember Juanita Vero. Juanita is a fourth-generation Montana rancher, conservationist, community leader, and all-around inspiring woman. She’s also a devoted public servant, serving as a Missoula County Commissioner, where she gets her hands dirty with the critical and often not-so-glamorous work of county government. Juanita’s name will be on the ballot in Missoula County this November, where she is hoping to win a six-year term to continue her service as a Commissioner. - Juanita joined me on the podcast back in 2018, then again on stage at last year’s live podcast in Bozeman, so her personal story is probably familiar. I wanted to have her back on the show as we approach the election because her story serves as an inspiring example of how citizens can push outside of their comfort zones to lead the communities they love. As you’ll hear, Juanita had never considered assuming a public office—but when the opportunity presented itself, and she was encouraged to pursue it by fellow community leaders, she jumped at the chance. Since then, she has gone all-in and has thrived in her role as County Commissioner. - If you’re like me, you are probably overwhelmed with the negative, inflammatory news regarding politics and the upcoming election. But Juanita’s campaign and her desire to serve stands in stark contrast to much of our national discourse—she’s driven by a love of place, humility, a sense of duty, genuine curiosity, and a desire to find common ground. I think it’s important to remember that there are committed public servants in every county and city—good people who are driven not by the desire to accumulate power but by a desire to leave their communities better than they found them. Wherever you live, I hope that Juanita’s example will encourage you to engage with your local elected leaders, truly understand the candidates running for local offices, or maybe even run for office yourself. But at the least, I know you’ll enjoy listening to Juanita’s story, which will hopefully make you feel better about the world during these crazy times! --- Juanita Vero for Missoula County Commissioner Juanita's first M&P podcast episode Full Episide Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/juanita-vero-2/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:30 - Why and how Juanita decided to enter politics 9:30 - Specific experiences that let Juanita know she was ready to be a commissioner 13:30 - Importance of talking to her Grandfather 19:15 - What exactly is a county commissioner? 22:15 - Example of how commissioners can influence development 25:30 - Why she’s running for office 28:30 - Commissioners as true public servants 32:30 - COVID’s impact on Missoula County 34:30 - Positive effects of the “new normal” of COVID 36:00 - Transition from working on the land to an office job 39:20 - Advice for citizens who want to work productively with local government 42:30 - Greatest challenges and opportunities in Missoula County 46:15 - Smaller issues worth considering 48:00 - Climate change & Missoula County solutions 52:00 - Importance of community leadership 53:30 - Favorite books 57:15 - Favorite films 58:30 - Funny and surprising activities 59:30 - Parting words of wisdom --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast Mountain & Prairie SHOP Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie

Jessica Wahl Turner is the Executive Director of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), America's leading coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations and organizations. Currently, the ORR is comprised of 31 national association members that serve more than 100,000 outdoor-related businesses, which is an amazing feat considering that the organization is less than three years old. Jessica and her team bring together all sectors of the outdoor economy to harness the industry's collective power and advance issues related to conservation, outdoor access, public lands infrastructure, and much more. Whether she's in the halls of Congress or the wide-open spaces of the American West, Jessica is a devoted, effective advocate for the outdoor industry. - This conversation is part of the Montana Governor's Office of Outdoor Recreation's "Business of Outdoor Recreation Summit"—a gathering of some of the most notable names in the outdoor recreation sector. Because of COVID, this year's summit has gone virtual, but the need for collaboration and idea-sharing among industry experts has never been greater. The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable is a case study in focusing on common goals, putting aside petty differences, and overcoming challenges with new and innovative approaches. So I was thrilled to get a chance to learn exactly how Jessica has gone about leading her organization during these changing times. - Jessica and I connected on Zoom and had a fun, educational, and wide-ranging conversation about all aspects of the outdoor economy. We started by chatting about the history of ORR and precisely what the organization does. We also discussed the Great American Outdoors Act and how this landmark legislation will positively affect the outdoor industry. We talked about COVID's effect on the outdoor economy and how ORR is working to support outdoor businesses during these unprecedented times. We also talked about how the outdoor economy contributes to rural and urban areas and how all aspects of the outdoor economy are interconnected. We also spend some time talking about Jessica's educational and professional backgrounds, and what makes her so uniquely qualified for her current role. And as usual, we discuss favorite books, favorite outdoor adventures, and she offers some wise parting words. - This was a wonderful conversation, and I hope you enjoy. Be sure to check out the "Business of Outdoor Recreation Summit" webpage, as there are many resources, films, and other podcasts that you will find enjoyable and educational. Links to everything are in the episode notes. --- Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Montana Governor's Office of Outdoor Recreation 2020 Business of Outdoor Recreation Summit Full Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/jessica-turner/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:30 - Outdoor Recreation Roundtable explained 8:00 - Focusing on the commonalities in the outdoor industry 12:00 - Impact of the Great American Outdoors Act 17:30 - How the upcoming election could affect the recreation economy 22:00 - The national interconnectedness of the outdoor economy 26:45 - How COVID has affected the outdoor recreation economy 32:00 - Balancing conservation and increased outdoor activities 36:30 - Future goals and measures of success for the roundtable 40:30 - Jessica’s education and early career 44:15 - Lessoned learned from the Outdoor Industry Association 48:45 - Advice to aspiring industry advocates/lobbyists 53:15 - Heroes and mentors 58:00 - Favorite books 1:01:30 - Favorite place in the outdoors 1:03:00 - Jessica’s parting words of wisdom --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast Mountain & Prairie SHOP Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie

Steve Casimiro is the founder and editor of Adventure Journal, an online and quarterly print magazine devoted to outdoor adventure in all its forms. AJ began as Steve's personal blog back in 2008—a project he created on the side while writing for National Geographic Adventure. Steve's unique perspective and devotion to adventure writing struck a chord with the outdoor community, and AJ's audience grew and grew. When National Geographic Adventure closed its doors in 2009, Steve decided to pursue AJ with his full professional focus, building a loyal following who is deeply devoted to AJ online and in print. - Steve grew up on the east coast, and from an early age, he was obsessed with writing, photography, and storytelling. After earning a degree in journalism, he spent his early twenties writing for traditional newspapers, including USA Today. But when presented with the opportunity to meld his passion for the outdoors with his journalism career, he left the newspaper business to join the team at the legendary ski magazine Powder. From there, Steve immersed himself in all aspects of the adventure media world, honing his craft for storytelling and dialing in his voice as a writer and editor. The culmination of these years of hard work is Adventure Journal, which is, in my opinion, one of the most essential voices in the outdoor community. - It's no secret that I'm a massive fan of Adventure Journal. I reference it often in my weekly newsletter and suggest the quarterly print publication in my reading recommendation emails. But what I find most impressive about Steve is how he has built such a loyal community of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts—curious, thoughtful, open-minded readers who enjoy thinking deeply about the outdoors and adventure. In this conversation, Steve shares how he managed to create such a unique community and what drives him to work so hard to continue to build it. We talk about AJ's values as a business, and we discuss his recent commitment to make AJ carbon neutral. We talk about how Steve welcomes ideas and opinions that he may not necessarily agree with, and the unique niche that AJ fills in the outdoor community. Steve also discusses how his his wife Joni, who is the AJ Art Director, has played an invaluable role in the growth of AJ. We talk about the importance of attention, the need to support independent media, what he looks for in writers, the importance of optimism, his ideas on building community, and much more. - Whether you're a writer, photographer, business owner, community builder, or outdoor enthusiast, I can promise you that you'll learn a lot from this conversation. Oh, and keep an eye on my Instagram account, because I'll be doing a giveaway of a few copies of AJ later this week. You can find a link to my Instagram Account in the episode notes. - Thanks to Steve for taking the time to join me. I hope you enjoy! -- Adventure Journal Full Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/steve-casimiro/ Mountain & Prairie on Instagram (for the AJ giveaway)   -- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 4:00 - AJ’s decision to be carbon neutral 7:00 - Founding values of AJ 9:45 - Thoughts on the business decision of going carbon neutral 15:00 - Importance of where we focus our attention 20:00 - Influences on Steve’s unique approach to media and AJ 24:30 - AJ’s transition from personal project to full-time gig 26:30 - Thoughts on AJ’s tone, consistency, and content 30:30 - Evolution from traditional journalism to AJ 35:00 - Importance of doing work that is new and innovative 40:45 - Impactful notes and letters from AJ readers 41:30 - Deep feelings brought out by outdoor adventure 43:00 - Important example that pursuing one’s passion can set 46:00 - Pushing through being “stuck” 51:00 - Optimist or Pessimist? 55:45 - What Steve looks for in writers 1:01:30 - Importance of supporting media with your dollars 1:06:00 - Having high expectations of the brands you support 1:09:00 - Favorite books 1:12:00 - Parting words of wisdom --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast Mountain & Prairie SHOP Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie

Chris Castilian is the Executive Director of Great Outdoors Colorado (also known as GOCO), an organization that has committed more than $1.2 billion toward preserving and enhancing Colorado’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers, and open spaces. Founded in 1992, GOCO is truly a one-of-a-kind conservation funder—the organization invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds into a wide variety of critical projects, with a current emphasis on issues including equitable access and community vitality. GOCO’s impact around Colorado is staggering—its funding has conserved more than 1.2 million acres, added over 47,000 acres to the state park system, protected over 1,000 miles of rivers, and much more. - Chris is a native Coloradan, and all aspects of his professional success and personal passions speak to his deep love of his home state and its wide-open spaces. Chris was formally trained as an attorney, but early is his career, he chose to focus on service rather than billing hours at a fancy law firm. He served as the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Bill Owens and as Director of the Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners. He also had a successful stint in the private sector, honing his business skills which have served him well at GOCO. And, as you’ll hear, his focus manifests itself in his personal life through his commitment to the outdoors and mountain biking—he’s completed the Leadville 100 mountain bike race multiple times. - Since we’re all sticking close to home these days, Chris and I connected via Skype to talk about GOCO, his career, and his thoughts on conservation in Colorado and beyond. We started with a deep dive into the history of GOCO, discussed how the organization has evolved, and talked about its goals and plans for the coming years. We also discussed how GOCO is working to address some of the current public health and social challenges here in Colorado, including equitable access to the outdoors. Chris and I spent a lot of time discussing his personal background—why he chose to pursue a service-based career, his thoughts on leadership, lessons learned from his time in the business world, and what characteristics he looks for in employees. We also discussed his love of mountain biking, the Leadville 100, our shared interest in books and history, and he offered some wise parting words to listeners. - If you care about protecting the West’s open spaces and communities, then this episode is a must-listen.  Enjoy! --- Great Outdoors Colorado Partners in the Outdoors --- This episode is brought to you by Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Partners in the Outdoors program. The Partners in the Outdoors program brings together diverse interests from across the entire spectrum of the outdoors to advance and balance both outdoor recreation and conservation in Colorado. The program seeks to foster alignment and trust through three cornerstone initiatives: the Partners in the Outdoors Conference, the Colorado Outdoor Partnership, and the Colorado Outdoor Principles, as well as extensive resource sharing and network building. --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 5:00 - The history of GOCO 7:30 - Similar programs in other states 8:30 - Why conservation matters during these crazy times 11:15 - GOCO’s new strategic plan 15:30 - A new holistic approach to community and conservation 18:45 - The evolution of GOCO 21:30 - Core values of GOCO 24:45 - Equitable access to the outdoors 28:30 - GOCO’s Equity Principles 34:00 - Inspiring work in Leadville, Colorado 37:45 - Growing up in Denver 38:30 - Life after law school 40:30 - Why pursue mission-based work? 45:00 - Transition into the private sector 47:30 - Changing mindset of the oil and gas industry 50:00 - Benefits of having business experience 56:00 - What Chris looks for when hiring people 58:00 - Favorite books 1:00:45 - Mountain biking, Leadville 100, Breck Epic, and other outdoor activities 1:07:00 - Favorite places in Colorado 1:08:45 - Parting words of wisdom ----- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast Mountain & Prairie SHOP Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie

Anna Brones is a freelance journalist, author, artist, and producer who is prolific in all of her creative endeavors—she’s published four books, produced documentary films, is currently publishing a quarterly print journal about food, and much more. One of her most recent projects was the Women’s Wisdom Project, in which she showcased the wisdom of inspiring women by creating 100 papercut portraits. All of Anna’s work is authentic and enlightening, and her personal commitment to cultivating creativity is instructive and inspiring. - Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Anna always had a deep appreciation for nature and community. She has studied, lived, and worked in many different countries and cities, but several years ago decided to return to her hometown in Washington state where she and her husband currently live. As you’ll hear in our conversation, Anna has read and thought deeply on the importance of place, and offers a unique perspective on what it means to be truly connected to a landscape or community. - Anna and I connected via Skype and had a wide-ranging conversation about her creative process, her current and past artistic projects, the importance of wilderness and nature, and much more. We started by discussing her Creative Fuel Challenge email newsletter—an amazing resource that has been very helpful to me during these past few crazy months. We also discussed her Women’s Wisdom Project—how she researched all 100 inspirational women and the process of creating 100 intricate pieces of art. Anna talked about her experience leading kids on a wilderness leadership retreat, as well as how camp and wilderness experiences in her own youth helped to shape her life and career. And as usual, we discussed favorite books and her most powerful outdoor experience, and she also offered some excellent words of wisdom for anyone with creative aspirations. - There are tons of resources mentioned in this episode.  Be sure to check out the episode notes for links to everything, including a few bonus resources that Anna and I discussed before and after recording the actual episode. Enjoy! --- Anna Brones Women's Wisdom Project Creative Fuel --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:30 - The Creative Fuel Challenge explained 6:30 - Why provide creative prompts? 7:45 - Importance of putting out regular content 9:30 - Time as an artist in residence 12:30 - Process of finding balance in life and creativity 15:30 - Pushing through creative blocks 19:00 - Fighting the reptile brain 20:45 - Using social media productively 23:45 - The Women’s Wisdom Project 27:45 - Process of researching women leaders 32:30 - The myth of having millions of ideas 36:00 - Anna’s early years in Washington state 41:00 - Importance of “place” 45:30 - How Anna came to appreciate the complexities of place 50:30 - Artists that Anna admires 53:30 - Anna’s experience leading wilderness trips 57:45 - How camp experiences benefited Anna 1:02:00 - Favorite books 1:06:30 - Most powerful outdoor experience 1:09:00 - Parting words of wisdom

Carlos Fernandez is the State Director for the Nature Conservancy in Colorado, where he and his team build alliances that advance conservation outcomes both in Colorado and around the world. Building on his formal training as an attorney, Carlos has had a long and successful career in conservation that extends far beyond the American West. He has worked extensively in his home country of Argentina, both as the Nature Conservancy's Southern Andes Conservation Strategies Manager and as the Patagonia Program Manager. Since taking the helm in Colorado in 2015, Carlos and TNC have enjoyed many notable achievements—everything from protecting large swaths of native grasslands to helping to create Colorado's newest state park. - Carlos grew up in Mendoza, Argentina, an agricultural region known for producing some of the world's best beef and exceptional Malbec wine. After a childhood spent hunting and fishing along the base of the Andes Mountains, Carlos trained as an attorney and went on to practice law for large international law firms in Buenos Aires and Washington DC. Several years into his career, Carlos realized that the legal profession was not providing deep fulfillment that he needed from a job—so he made the career switch into conservation and has never looked back. - Carlos and I had a fascinating conversation that I know you'll enjoy. We started by discussing the Nature Conservancy, and specifically what the organization does both globally and here in Colorado. We then chat about several of TNC's recent successes, including the creation of Yampa River Fund and TNC's critical role in acquiring and protecting the 19,200-acre Fisher's Peak property, which will soon be Colorado's newest state park. Carlos talks about the importance of partnerships in conservation, with other land trusts, governmental organizations, and local communities. We then discuss the future of conservation in the West and the challenges and opportunities facing the region in the next 30 years. Carlos and I both have five-year-old daughters, so we talk a bit about fatherhood and the outdoors' role in raising children. And as usual, we discuss favorite books, films, his favorite places in Colorado, and he offers some actionable words of wisdom. - This is an excellent episode, full of optimism, inspiration, and educational resources. Be sure to check out the episode notes for links to everything we discuss. Enjoy! --- The Nature Conservancy Full Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/carlos-fernandez/ CPW's Partners in the Outdoors --- This episode is brought to you by Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Partners in the Outdoors program. The Partners in the Outdoors program brings together diverse interests from across the entire spectrum of the outdoors to advance and balance both outdoor recreation and conservation in Colorado. The program seeks to foster alignment and trust through three cornerstone initiatives: the Partners in the Outdoors Conference, the Colorado Outdoor Partnership, and the Colorado Outdoor Principles, as well as extensive resource sharing and network building. --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 5:00 - The Nature Conservancy explained 9:30 - TNC’s mission in Colorado 10:30 - Yampa River Fund explained 16:30 - Importance of community in conservation 19:30 - Fishers Peak State Park 26:00 - TNC and equitable access to the outdoors 28:30 - The importance of partnerships 30:45 - Civic duty of partnerships 32:00 - Colorado Outdoor Partnerships 35:00 - Early years in Mendoza, Argentina 38:00 - Transitioning from corporate law into conservation 41:30 - Moving to Colorado 42:30 - Carlos’s unique professional background 46:00 - Conservation in the time of COVID 48:45 - Heroes and mentors 52:00 - Advice for people transitioning from the private sector into non-profits 55:30 - Envisioning the future of conservation 59:30 - Favorite books 1:04:00 - Favorite films 1:05:45 - Carlos’s favorite outdoor activities 1:07:00 - Rediscovering the outdoors through your kids’ eyes 1:08:00 - Favorite location in the West 1:10:30 - Parting words of wisdom

David Gessner is back for his third appearance on the podcast, and this time we are discussing his brand new book "Leave It As It Is: A Journey Through Theodore Roosevelt's American Wilderness." Most long-time listeners will remember David's past two episodes-- we discussed everything from Edward Abbey and Wallace Stegner to his daily writing rituals and his hand-built coastal writing shack. If you haven't listened to those first two episodes, I encourage you to do so—they are chock-full of wisdom, good humor, and inspiration to fight to conserve the places you love. But first, take a listen to this episode, as it offers some timely insights into this current moment in history. - In this episode, we spend the full hour discussing his new book and digging into the good, the bad, and the ugly of Theodore Roosevelt's legacy. As many of your know, I've read way-too-many TR books, and "Leave It As It Is" offers the most balanced, clear-eyed examination of the man that I've read to date. It's not a strict biography or historical examination of TR, although there's plenty of both within the pages. Rather, it's David's search to capture the best of TR's conservation ethos, to discard the worst, and to use the balance to build a new, holistic model for conservation and environmental justice. David melds together a confluence of ideals that acknowledges the wrongs of the past and sets an equitable, sustainable course for the future. During this time when we are rightfully reexamining many of our country's revered historical figures, "Leave It As It Is" provides a valuable, well-timed deep dive into the complexities of TR and his influence on conservation in the United States. - Although an hour-long interview is no substitute for reading the book, I believe that this conversation will give you a good taste of the fresh and unique perspective that David brings to the well-worn subject of Theodore Roosevelt. We start by discussing the relevance of studying TR now, in the midst of a global pandemic, economic crisis, and social turmoil. David also explains the series of events that led him to begin writing this book, a multi-year project that took him from Bears Ears to Yosemite with many stops in between. We talk in-depth about TR's unacceptable views and treatment of Native Americans, some of the hypocrisies that defined TR's life, and why David chose to stare these uncomfortable facts in the eye rather than just make excuses, as many biographers do. David discusses how TR's idea of the Strenuous Life has helped define his own life, and how writing this book has encouraged David to become more of an activist for specific causes. We also talk about the removal of the TR statue in New York, the idea of the Confluence of Ideals, and David offers up a long list of further reading on TR. - I loved every minute of this conversation, and I highly encourage you to read "Leave It As It Is." It's an important book that is perfect for this important time in history. Hope you enjoy! --- "Leave It As It Is: A Journey Through Theodore Roosevelt's American Wilderness" by David Gessner David Gessner Full Episode Notes and Links: https://mountainandprairie.com/david-gessner-3/ LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW on Apple Podcasts --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 5:00 - What is the value of studying TR during this moment in history? 9:00 - The Antiquities Act explained 12:30 - Why read biography? 14:00 - TR's attitude toward Native Americans 17:00 - Importance of open conversation and hypocrisy 18:30 - "Walking the ridge" 20:00 - David's "What would Teddy do?" list 21:00 - Why David had to write this specific book 27:00 - "Confluence of Ideals" 32:00 - Importance of living strenuously 33:30 - Combining books and adventure 37:30 - Focused action 39:30 - Morris and McCullough's TR work 41:30 - Thoughts on the removal of the NYC TR statue 46:00 - TR as an effective, energetic liberal 49:30 - Backstory on the title "Leave It As It Is" 52:30 - Who wins in a TR vs. Trump fight? 55:00 - How did writing this book change David? 58:00 - Activists that David admires 59:30 - Additional recommended books on TR

Becky Edwards is the Executive Director of the Mountain Mamas, an organization whose mission is to amplify women's voices into a movement to ensure that kids grow up in a healthy climate with clean air and access to public lands. Operating out of both Montana and Colorado—and currently expanding throughout the West—the Mountain Mamas harness the power of mothers to advocate to solve some of the West's most pressing conservation and environmental challenges. Whether helping to garner support for the recently passed Great American Outdoors Act or fighting for clean water in our Rocky Mountain rivers, the Mountain Mamas have become a formidable force for good in the West. - Becky grew up in Iowa but moved West to pursue her passion for climbing and mountaineering. After many years of being single-mindedly focused on life in the big mountains, her priorities drastically shifted with her daughter's birth. No longer was she focused on big accents, but instead on making the world a better place for her little girl. And it's worth noting that Becky's early years of motherhood were no walk in the park—she spent many years as a single mother while simultaneously starting several successful businesses as well as the Mountain Mamas. But despite all of the challenges, Becky never gave up and built an impactful movement that is spreading across the West. - We caught up via Skype the day after the House of Representatives passed the Great American Outdoors Act, so we started out talking about that victory and its impacts on conservation and recreation. Becky is very gifted at explaining complicated legislative jargon, so she graciously and entertainingly walks me through many of the details around the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the importance of its permanent funding, and more. We discuss the importance of advocacy work with elected officials, and she offers up practical advice for anyone who wants to become more involved in guiding their elected officials on important issues. We also discuss her journey as a mother, as well as her journey as a woman in the conservation sector. Finally, we talk about the need for more diversity in conservation, and why now is a wonderful opportunity for positive change. - This was such a fun conversation—I think you'll find it equal parts educational, inspiring, and empowering. Hope you enjoy. --- Mountain Mamas Full Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/becky-edwards/ NEWSLETTER: "Good News from the American West" --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 5:00 - Mountain Mamas explained 6:00 - Background of the organization 9:30 - Land and Water Conservation Fund explained 13:00 - What does “fully funding” the LWCF mean? 17:00 - Ability of groups to do conservation rather than fight for $$ 19:00 - Importance of advocacy and discussions with Congress 23:45 - Practical tips for advocating for your cause 27:00 - The vital role of the outdoors during Covid 29:30 - Importance of "finding the area of commonality" 32:00 - Transitioning the Mamas into advocacy work 37:00 - Becky’s journey as a mother 42:30 - Decision to start a business while being a single mother 47:00 - The driving force behind Becky’s career 50:00 - Importance of storytelling 53:30 - Need for increased diversity and inclusion in conservation 58:00 - Opportunities that will arise from this moment in history 59:30 - Heroes 1:01:30 - Favorite books 1:03:30 - Favorite films 1:06:00 - Parting words of wisdom --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast NEWSLETTER: Good News from the American West Mountain & Prairie SHOP Mountain & Prairie on Instagram About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie

Ivan McClellan is a professional photographer and the creator of the Eight Seconds Project, a storytelling project with the goal of extending the cowboy icon to include people of color. Ivan started the project back in 2015, after a series of chance encounters led him to an all-black rodeo in Oklahoma. Over the course of photographing the event, he became enamored with the black cowboy way of life and obsessed with documenting this unique subculture. In the years since, the Eight Seconds Project has garnered the attention of iconic western brands such as Stetson and Wrangler, and Ivan's work has helped to tell the story of black cowboys to a nationwide, mainstream audience. - A Kansas City native, Ivan grew up in a tough neighborhood were gangs and violence were the norm. Just after high school, he headed east to New York City, where he studied and worked in the arts for many years. A career transition into the advertising business led him to Portland, where he currently lives with his wife and two children. Ivan juggles many commitments—family, a career in advertising, and his photography projects—but through hard work, mindfulness, and obsession, he somehow manages to keep all the balls in the air and continues to evolve as an artist and storyteller.  - Ivan and I connected via the internet for a wide-ranging and enlightening conversation. We started out talking about the genesis of the Eight Seconds Project and how a random conversation at a party started the entire project. We talk about Black Cowboy culture, how he came to learn about the community's deep roots and its ties to the history of the United States and the West. Ivan shares some thoughts on the importance of having creative control over projects, and how hard work, year after year, allowed him to find his true voice as a storyteller. We also chat about mindfulness and how mindfulness practice has improved Ivan's life and creative output. As usual, we discuss favorite books, films, and Ivan offers some timely words of wisdom. - I loved this conversation, and I felt like it got better and better with each minute. Be sure to check out the episode notes for all of the subjects we covered and links to everything discussed. Hope you enjoy! --- LINKS: Eight Seconds Project Ivan on Instagram NEWSLETTER: Good News from the American West Full episode notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/ivan-mcclellan/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 4:30 - Background of the Eight Second Project 7:00 - Ivan’s first black rodeo in Oklahoma 9:30 - Publishing his first black rodeo images 11:00 - Working with big brands 15:00 - Ivan’s decision to self-fund the Eight Seconds Project 16:30 - Treating photography as sacred 18:30 - The long road toward creative freedom 23:00 - Ability to pivot into other creative niches 25:00 - Process of becoming a pro photographer 27:30 - Ivan describes his work and process 32:00 - History of Black Rodeo in Oklahoma 35:00 - Why more black riders aren’t in the PBR 39:00 - Shifting into a more equitable “new normal” in rodeo 41:00 - Dealing with the frustration of shifting perspectives 43:30 - Growing up in Kansas City 45:00 - Discovering the need for mindfulness 47:30 - Family’s role in mindfulness 49:00 - Details on Ivan’s meditation practice 52:00 - Mindfulness’s effects on Ivan’s creativity 56:00 - Lessons learned from rodeo riders 59:00 - Favorite books 1:00:30 - Favorite films 1:02:30 - Craziest thing Ivan’s every seen at a rodeo 1:04:30 - Parting words of wisdom ----- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast NEWSLETTER: Good News from the American West Mountain & Prairie SHOP Mountain & Prairie on Instagram About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie  

Gabe Vasquez is the founder of the Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project and currently serves as a city councilor in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Gabe has devoted his entire career to advocacy and conservation, specifically for the people and places in the border region of New Mexico. He's worked for Senator Martin Heinrich, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, and recently drafted New Mexico's Outdoor Equity Fund legislation, which was the first of its kind in the nation. - Growing up in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Gabe developed a childhood passion for the outdoors while fishing with his father and learning about hunting from his grandfather. The outdoors has remained a focal point of his life, both professionally and personally, whether advising lawmakers on federal land policies or hunting, fishing, and hiking in the Coronado National Forest. But most importantly, Gabe has made it his mission to ensure that people of all socio-economic backgrounds and races can enjoy the outdoors, and hopefully, one day become advocates for protecting our country's wild places. - Gabe was scheduled to be a keynote speaker at Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Partners in the Outdoors Conference, a popular gathering of some of the country's foremost experts in conservation and recreation. But because of the COVID pandemic, the in-person conference was converted into a virtual conference. And instead of an on-stage keynote, Gabe is now appearing on this podcast with me! As you'll hear, Gabe's message of balancing conservation and recreation, while ensuring equitable access to the outdoors, is a perfect fit with the conference's theme of cultivating common ground to ensure a sustainable future for Colorado's outdoors. - This was a fascinating interview, and I left the conversation better informed and inspired by Gabe's leadership and vision. We started out chatting about the formation of the Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project and talking about the history and mission of the organization. Gabe then discussed lessons learned from his time working with Senator Heinrich, and how a brief stint living and working in Washington DC solidified his love for the West. We discuss New Mexico's Outdoor Equity Fund, and how he played a significant role in creating this historic and cutting-edge, public-private program. We talk in-depth about the importance of getting kids into the outdoors, and the idea of how people need to fall in love with the outdoors before they can advocate for it. And as usual, we discuss favorite books, his favorite place in the West, and Gave offers some timely words of wisdom. - A huge thanks to Gabe for taking the time to chat, and thank you to Colorado Parks and Wildlife for inviting me to be a part of its virtual conference. Visit the episode notes for links to everything we discuss, including the full conference schedule, which will give you access to all presentations from the virtual conference. There's a ton of exciting and informative content. But in the meantime, enjoy this conversation with Gabe Vasquez. --- Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project CPW's Partners in the Outdoors Conference Full Episode Notes: https://mountainandprairie.com/gabe-vasquez/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 4:00 - Gabe’s family connection to the outdoors 6:00 - Early job with Senator Heinrich 8:30 - Moving to Washington DC 11:30 - Back out West, working for the NWF 14:00 - Formation of Nuestra Tierra 19:00 - Why Gabe chose a service-based career 24:00 - Lessoned learned from working with Senator Martin Heinrich 30:15 - New Mexico’s Outdoor Equity Fund, explained 37:00 - What Outdoor Equity Fund funds 32:30 - Alternative funding sources for recreation 44:00 - Other states’ response to the Outdoor Equity Fund 47:00 - Thoughts on privilege and the outdoors 51:00 - Creating new generations of conservationists 54:00 - Gabe’s role as a City Councilor  1:04:00 - Favorite books 1:10:00 - Favorite place in New Mexico 1:14:00 - Parting words of wisdom ----- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast Mountain & Prairie SHOP Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie